Counting device



March 5, 1963 N. L. ENRICK Er Ai. coummc DEVICE Filed Oct. 15, 1959 K mmm T mL vm NE B R O N GASTON G. FORNES G M a 2 Q f L FIG. 2

MECHANICAL FIG. 1

SLAMS FIG. 3

FILLING \4 SELVEDGE UN KNOWN ATTORNE S 33733713 C(BUNTINS EEVEQE NorbertL. Enrich and Gaston G. Ferries, Charlottesville,

1a., assignors to institute of Textile Technology, Charlottesville, Va,a corporation of Virginia Filed 9st. 15, 1959, Ser. No. 846,733 6tllairns. {'iCl. 43-68) This invention relates to counting devices forindicating and recording the num er of times certain events occur and,more particularly, to a manually operated counter constructed simply ofa barrel, 2. spindle, and a detent device fixed with respect to thespindle to hold the barrel in various selected angular positions.

Simple countin devices of the type disclosed and claimed herein arenormally used to record the number of occurrences of some particularevent or happening when the maximum number of occurrences to be countedis relatively limited. Counters of this sort may be employed, forexample, on spinning machines, looms, and other weaving apparatus tocount and record the number of various faults which take place during agiven period of operation, so that a record is always available of thecondition of the equipment. For this and many other applications, acounting device should be capable of quick and easy actuation by theoperator so that the events may be recorded with speed and accuracy. Thedevice should also be readily attachable to the particular apparatuswith which it is associated. Furthermore, since a large total num er ofevents need not be recorded, it is important that the counting device beof uncomplicated and inexpensive design.

it is the primary purpose of the present invention to provide a countingdevice which possesses these various advantages. The new device includesa barrel having a bore extending axially therethrough. At least aportion of the barrel is defined exteriorly by a plurality of similarsurfaces adjoining one another about the circumference of the barrel.Markings of different indicia denote these respective surfaces. A sp'zdle is positioned freely within the bore and an end portion of thespindle projects from the bore to provide means for mounting the device.Retaining are included for holding the barrel on the spindle when thedevice is mounted. A fixed resilient detent strip is adapted to extendlaterally outwardly from the spindle to bear resiliently against thebarrel. Hence, the barrel may be manually rotated about the spindle to aplurality of selected angular positions and releasably held in suchpositions by the detent strip.

That portion of the barrel defined exteriorly by the adjoining similarsurfaces serves several purposes in the operation of this new countingdevice. in one embodiment of the invention, it provides a series ofcam-like surfaces against which an outer end portion of the detent stripis adapted to bear resiliently to hold the barrel in its selectedpositions. it also provides areas on which numbers or other indicia maybe formed to distinguish the various angular positions of the barrel.lvioreover, it forms a knob-like element which the operator can easilygrip to turn the barrel to its sele ted position. In a preferred form,the barrel may be cut from rod stoclr of octagonal cross section so thatthis extrior portion comprises eight uniformly shaped fiat surfacesextending longitudinally from one end of the barrel and equiangularlyadjoining one another about the circumference of the barrel. lso,ordinary flat strip and round rod stock may be used to form the detentstrip and spindle respectively, so that the entire device may be formedby a few ordinary machining steps.

A prefered embodiment of the invention is described hereinbelow withreference to the accompanying drawing, wherein 3,d?9,?l3 Patented Mar.5, 1953 FIG. 1 is an exploded elevation of the new counting device and afragmentary section of a frame to which it is to be attached;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a detent strip of the counting device of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation partly broken away and in sec tion of several ofthe counting device of PEG. I mounted on the frame of a loom; and

ES. 4 is an end view of the apparatus of FIG. 3.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of a frame it is shownformed with an internally threaded hole ii.

The frame it may be part of a loom, for example, andit shoul' be visibleWithin the reach of the operator. The counting device includes a spindle12 which may be formed from ordinary round rod stock. At one end of thespindle 12 is a head portion 13 provided with a slot 14 on its outerface for turning the spindle with a screwdriver or the like. Extendingfrom the head portion 13 of the spindle is a cylindrical central portion15 and on the end of the central portion is a longitudinally projectingexternally threaded end portion 17. The end per-- tion 1'7 is of smallerdiameter than the central portion 15 and its external threads correspondto the internal threads in the hole H in the frame 1%. Thus, thethreaded end portion 17 provides means for mounting the spindle on theframe.

Indicated generally by the numeral 18 is a barrel which is formed with abore 19 extending axially therethrough. At the end of the bore remotefrom the frame it? a counterbore 2% is formed which is substantiallyequal in depth to the head portion 13 of the spindle 12. The barrel "18is defined externally by a plurality of uniformly shaped flat surfacesZl extending longitudinally from one end thereof and equiangularlyadjoining one another. in the embodi-. merit shown in PlG. 1, three ofthe surfaces 21 are visiabout the circumference of the barrel.

his and there are eight in total, so that the barrel is may beconveniently cut from octagonal rod stock. Markings 23 of differentindicia, such as consecutive nurn ers, at

formed on and denote the various flat surfaces 21. The

exterior surface of the barrel is also defined by a conically taperedsurface 25 converging longitudinally from the fiat surfaces 21 to theend of the barrel. At the end of the barrel opposite the conical surface25 is a small circular land 26 formed concentrically about the adjacentend of the bore The longitudinal dimension of the bore 19 from thespindle may extend freely through the barrel 18 with the ead portion 13recessed substantially flush within the counterbore 2%.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the counting device also includes a detentstrip 28 of resilient material, such as spring steel. The detent stripis formed with a round hole 29 adjacent one end thereof adapted toloosely receive the threaded end portion 17 of the spindle. The hole 29is considerably smaller in diameter, however, than the central portion15 of the spindle. At the outer end of the detent strip 23 is abent-over portion 31 which is spaced from the center of the hole 29 adistance somewhat less than the shortest distance from the center lineof the barrel 1% to one of the flat surfaces 231.

In assembling the new counting device, the spindle 12 is fitted into thebarrel is so that the threaded end portion l7 projects from one end ofthe bore 19. The

counterbore as as described. The threaded cndportion number of variousfaults which occur.

17 of the spindle is fitted through the hole 29 in the detent strip 28and the detent strip is then brought up fiat against the face of theland 26 on the barrel. This causes the bent-overend portion 31 of thedetent strip" to bear resiliently against one of the fiat surfaces 21 onthe barrel 18. The spindle 12 is then screwed into the hole 11 in. theframe by means ofthe slot 14 until the detent strip is held fixedbetween the central portion 15 of the spindle and the surface of theframe 10. Since the central portion 15 is longer than. the bore 19 ofthe barrel, the barrel remains freely mounted-about the spindle.

To operate the device,:the barrel 18 is manually gripped about the flatsurfaces 21 and turned on the spindle. The bent-over end portion 3-1ofthe detent strip is thereby caused to ride over the successive flatsurfaces 21 in resilient contact therewith. When the bent-over endportion 31 of the detent strip reaches the fiat surface denoted by thedesired number or other indicia 23, the barrel is.

some form of arrow or mark may be formed on the.

surfaceof the frame Ill to register with and denote the desired ind-iciaon one of the flat surfaces 21.

' In FIGS. 3 and 4, a particular application of the new counting deviceis shown. On part of a frame 35 of a loom or other machine, an uprightmember 36 is fastened by means of screws'37. The upright member 36includes afiange portion 39 which strengthens it and provides a flatplane for the formation of a plurality of internally threaded holes 40similar to the hole 11 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2; In each ofthe internally threaded holes 40 a new counting device 41' is mounted.

As described in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, each counting device 41comprises a spindle 42, a barrel 43 and a detent strip 44. On the faceof the upright member 36 in clear view of the operator of the loom, areformed certain titles 46 which denote the respective counting devices.Each title designates a particular type of fault which is likely tooccur in the operation of the loom. If only'a. very few of these faultsoccur during operation, the loom will notbe shut down, but if the numberof occurrences increases to a certain critical level then loom.

is stopped so that the difliculty may be corrected.

The new counters, therefore, are used to record the The operator simplyrotates the barrel 43 of the appropriate counting device one eighth of aturn to indicate when a particular fault occurs so that-the detent strip44 holds the barrel. in its new angular position and recordsthe numberof.

such occurrences. The looms, are periodically inspected to make noteofthe number of. faults which had occurred during-the previous. elapsedperiod. If the number is critically high the loom is shut down, thefaults are corrected, and the counters are returned tov a zero reading.

We claim: 7

1. A counting device comprising a barrel having a bore extending axiallytherethrough, at least a portion of said barrel being defined exteriorlyby a plurality of similar substantially flat surfaces adjoining oneanother about the circumference of the barrel, markings of differentindicia denoting the respective surfaces, a spindle positioned freelywithin said bore such that said barrel is ro-' tatably mounted thereon,anend portion of said spindle projecting from said bore and providingmeans for mounting said device, retaining means for holding said barrelon said spindle when said device is mounted, and a resilient detentstrip fixed withrespect to and extending laterally outwardly from saidspindle when said device is mounted, said detent strip having an outerend portion bearing resiliently againstthe respective flat surfaces onsaid barrel in a selectedangular position thereof, whereby a said"barrel may be manually rotated about said spindle to a. plurality ofselected. angular positions and releasably held in such positions bysaid detent strip.

'2. A-countiug device comprising a barrel having a bore extendingaxially therethrough, at least a portion of said barrel being definedexteriorly by a plurality of substantially flat surfaces equiangularlyadjoining one another about the circumference of the barrel, markings ofdifferent indicia denoting the-respective flat surfaces, at spindlepositioned freely within said bore such that said barrel is rotat-ablymounted thereon, an end-portion'ofsaid spindle projecting from one endof said bore and providing means for mounting said device, retainingmeans for holding said barrel on said spindle when said device ismounted, and a detent device comprising a strip of resilient materialformed with a hole adjacent one end for receiving the projecting endportion of said spindle and a bent-over portion at the other end bearingresiliently against the respective fiat surfaces of said barrel in a.selected angular position thereof, said strip being fixed. relative tosaid spindle and extending laterally outwardly:

therefrom when said device is mounted, whereby said barrel may berotated about said. spindle to: a plurality of selected angularpositions and held releasably in such positions by the bent-over portionof said detent strip.

3. A counting device comprising-a barrel having a bore extending.axially therethrough, at least a portion of said barrel being definedexteriorly by aplurality of substan end of said spindle substantiallyrecessed in a counterbore atthe other end of said bore for retainingsaid barrel on said spindle when said device is mounted, and a detentdevice comprising a strip of resilient material formed with a holeadjacent one end for receiving-the threaded end portion of said spindleand a bent-overportion at the other end bearing resiliently againsttherespective fiat surfaces of said barrel in a selected angularposition thereof, said strip being fixedrelative. to said spindle andextending laterally outwardly therefrom when said device is mounted,whereby said barrel may be rotated about said spindle to a plurality ofselected angular positions and held releasably in'such positions by thebent-over portion of said detent strip. a

4. A counting device adapted to be mounted on a frame comprising abarrel having a bore extending axially therethnough, a portion of saidbarrel being defined exteriorly by a plurality of substantially flat anduniformly shaped surfaces equiangularly adjoining one another about thecircumference of the barrel, markings of. different-indicia on saidbarrel denoting the respective flat.

strip formed with a hole adjacent one end for receiving the threaded endportion of said spindle and a bent-over portion at the other end bearingresiliently against the respective flat surfaces of said barrel in aselected angularv position thereof, said strip being held fixed betweenthe central portion of said spindle and said frame when said spindle isthreaded to said frame, whereby said'barrrei may be rotated about saidspindle to a plurality ofselected angular positions and held releasablyin such position by the bent-over portion ofsaid detent strip.

5; A counting deviceadapted to bemounted' on aframe comprising a barrelhaving a bore extending axiallytherethrough, said barrel being definedexteriorly by a plurality of uniformly shaped flat surfaces extendinglongitudinally from one end of the barrel and equiangularly adjoiningone another about the circumference of the barrel and also by aconically tapered surface converging longitudinally from said fiatsurfaces to the other end of the barrel, markings of dilferent indiciaon said barrel denoting the respective flat surfaces, a spindlepositioned freely within said bore and including a cylindrical centralportion such that said barrel is rotatably mounted thereon, a narrowerthreaded end portion extending from said central portion and projectingfrom the end of the bore adjacent said fiat surfaces for attachment tosaid frame, and a cylindrical head portion at the opposite end of saidcentral portion recessed substantially flush within a counterbore at theend of said bore adjacent said tapered surface for retaining said barrelon said spindle, means on the outer face of said head portion forturning said spindle into threaded attachment with said frame, and

a resilient detent strip extending laterally outwardly from saidspindle, said strip being formed with a hole adjacent one end forreceiving the threaded end portion of said spindle and a bent-overportion at the other end bearing resiliently against the respective fiatsurfaces of said barrel in a selected angular position thereof, saidstrip being held fixed between the central portion of said spindle andsaid frame when said spindle is threaded to said frame, whereby saidbarrel may be rotated about said spindle to a plurality of selectedangular positions and held releasably in such position by the bent-overportion of said detent strip.

6. A counting device comprising a barrel having a bore extending axiallytherethr-ough, at least a portion of said barrel being definedexteriorly by a plurality of similar surfaces adjoining one anotherabout the circumference of the barrel, markings of different indiciadenoting the respective surfaces, a spindle positioned freely Withinsaid bore such that said barrel is rotatably mounted thereon, an endportion of said spindle projecting from said bore and providing meansfor mounting said device, retaining means for holding said barrel onsaid spindle when said device is mounted, and a resilient detent stripfixed with respect to and extending laterally outwardly from saidspindle, said detent strip having a portion hearing resiliently againstsaid barrel in a selected angular position thereof, whereby said barrelmay be manually rotated about said spindle to a plurality of selectedangular positions and releasably held in such positions by said detentstrip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS343,070 Roswell et a1. June 1, 1886 1,235,924 Read Aug. 7, 19171,644,471 Hagerman Oct. 4, 1927 2,100,649 Mossberg Nov. 30, 19372,629,951 Kittridge Mar. 3, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 297,517 Great BritainSept. 27, 1928

1. A COUNTING DEVICE COMPRISING A BARREL HAVING A BORE EXTENDING AXIALLYTHERETHROUGH, AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID BARREL BEING DEFINED EXTERIORLYBY A PLURALITY OF SIMILAR SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT SURFACES ADJOINING ONEANOTHER ABOUT THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE BARREL, MARKINGS OF DIFFERENTINDICIA DENOTING THE RESPECTIVE SURFACES, A SPINDLE POSITIONED FREELYWITHIN SAID BORE SUCH THAT SAID BARREL IS ROTATABLY MOUNTED THEREON, ANEND PORTION OF SAID SPINDLE PROJECTING FROM SAID BORE AND PROVIDINGMEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID DEVICE, RETAINING MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID BARRELON SAID SPINDLE WHEN SAID DEVICE IS MOUNTED, AND A RESILIENT DETENTSTRIP FIXED WITH RESPECT TO AND EXTENDING LATERALLY OUTWARDLY FROM SAIDSPINDLE WHEN SAID DEVICE IS MOUNTED, SAID DETENT STRIP HAVING AN OUTEREND PORTION BEARING RESILIENTLY AGAINST THE RESPECTIVE FLAT SURFACES ONSAID BARREL IN A SELECTED ANGULAR POSITION THEREOF, WHEREBY SAID BARRELMAY BE MANUALLY ROTATED ABOUT SAID SPINDLE TO A PLURALITY OF SELECTEDANGULAR POSITIONS AND RELEASABLY HELD IN SUCH POSITIONS BY SAID DETENTSTRIP.